Tender calls were issued today for the new Prince County Hospital Dialysis Unit, which will benefit many Islanders faced with renal disease in the province’s western region, says Health and Wellness Minister Carolyn Bertram.
“Rising rates of diabetes and heart disease in our aging population contribute to kidney failure, which has led to a growing demand for hemodialysis services on the Island,” said Minister Bertram. “As a result, we are increasing hemodialysis capacity at both the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Prince County Hospital by over 125 per cent.”
Tender calls were issued today for the $2.7 million expansion to the Prince County Hospital. The new facility at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital is already underway as part of the new Ambulatory Care Centre. It is anticipated that both facilities will be completed in late 2012.
“Over the past two years, our government has committed over half a million dollars to allow more Islanders to receive dialysis treatment in our province. Funding has been dedicated to increase staffing and new treatment spaces,” said Minister Bertram. “Our government is committed to continue working to meet the health care needs of Islanders both for today and for the future.”
Hemodialysis is a life-sustaining treatment required by individuals whose kidneys can no longer function as a result of Kidney Disease. Hemodialysis requires the use of a machine and direct access to the blood system. Treatments are usually performed three times per week, for four to six hours per treatment, by specially trained staff.
There are currently four dialysis sites in the province, located in Alberton, Summerside, Charlottetown and Souris.